Nassim Boujellab (2nd L) of Schalke 04 vies with Florian Wirtz (1st R) and Julian Baumgartlinger of Leverkusen during their German Bundesliga football match in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Dec. 6, 2020. (Photo by Tim Rehbein/RHR-FOTO/Pool/handout via Xinhua)
At FC Schalke 04, there seems to be no shortage of ideas to extract the club from some of its darkest ever hours.
By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- At FC Schalke 04, there seems to be no shortage of ideas to extract the club from some of its darkest ever hours.
Fans, players, coaches, and officials seem driven by the hope to prevent the Royal Blues from being relegated.
Supporters gather in outdoor air discussion rounds, expressing their fear about the side's future. Club leaders are demanding unity. Coaches and players are promising to give their all in the three remaining games in 2020 -- against Augsburg, Freiburg, and league newcomers Bielefeld.
The question is how can they turn a side around that has failed to win a single game in its last 26 attempts and one that is in the midst of a serious financial crisis?
A debt of over 200 million euros and the fatal effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are also increasing Schalke's woes.
Coach Manuel Baum said the aim of retaining first division status is the only one that made sense.
"It makes a difference for the team to feel everyone's wholehearted support," Baum said, adding: "Therefore we need everyone on board despite different opinions of why we have slipped into this muddle."
There seems to be no alternative to make a united effort for the club to avoid relegation for the fourth time in its history. It dropped to the second division in 1981, 1983, and 1989.
In contrast to the past, relegation this time is endangering the club's future as insolvency seems unavoidable due to a significant decrease in TV revenue and sponsoring income.
"It's not too late to fight and return to calmer waters," the club's head of the board, Jochen Schneider, said after writing an open letter to the fans asking for unity. "But it is vital for us all to come together and initiate the turnaround."
The 50-year-old's appeal seemed addressed to Schalke's fans, who have lost their faith in their club.
"It doesn't help to accuse individual persons. Now it is only about the future of Schalke," Schneider said whilst being aware that they will discover the true costs at the end of the season.
The future of the entire leadership level seems uncertain, and many can't see Schneider stay when things continue to go in the wrong direction.
Schneider's open letter didn't find full approval as fans continue to blame leading officials for the crisis.
Team captain Omar Mascarell demanded additional efforts from the team to gain points. "We might have improved when it comes to the statistics. But what we have done so far isn't enough. From now on, it's about nothing else than winning games," the midfielder stated.
Mascarell said it is time to face reality and turn around people's spirits.
Schalke's team has to improve on all levels. Disappointing statistics in man-on-man situations (only 47.7 percent successful) are coupled with too many goals let in from dead-ball situations (14).
Only six goals in 10 games this season tell the story, over against only three points and 31 goals conceded.
Baum is talking about his side, "feeling we have made certain improvements. This helps the players to continue on their way." The coach said it's all about the game in Augsburg this Sunday for now. ■
